More Articles

After more than three days of deliberating the fate of Mario M. Harris on charges of aggravated
murder and aggravated robbery, a Franklin County jury is to start from scratch this morning.

Common Pleas Judge Kimberly Cocroft excused one of the jurors yesterday afternoon because of a
scheduling conflict related to shared parenting that the juror had warned about before testimony
started. Cocroft appointed an alternate juror to fill the vacancy. By law, deliberations then had
to begin anew.

Harris, 22, is accused of shooting 36-year-old Henry “Hank” Monger III on Nov. 7 during a 3 a.m.
robbery outside the Eastside Lounge at 6115 E. Livingston Ave. Monger was an employee of the Far
East Side nightclub.

The deliberations have lasted as long as jury selection and testimony. Jurors told the judge on
Monday afternoon that they were deadlocked and couldn’t reach a unanimous decision, but she
instructed them to keep trying.

The jury heard testimony last week from two eyewitnesses who identified Harris as the gunman,
but neither was more than 75 percent certain.

Columbus police detectives who conducted a routine check of the club — a known gang hangout —
shortly before closing said they saw Harris standing inside.

Harris, of Eastwood Avenue on the Near East Side, also is charged with illegally possessing a
gun. Repeat-violent-offender, firearm and gang specifications are attached to the aggravated-murder
and aggravated-robbery charges.